JP2017068508A - Document processing method, document processing device, system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly read a document by correctly attaching unique document identification information thereto even in the case of performing a plurality of times of document processing to one document.SOLUTION: A reading part is configured to read content described in a document, and to output it as read data. A recognition processing part is configured to execute recognition processing for recognizing document identification information attached to the document. A first identification information output part is configured to, when the recognition processing part succeeds in the recognition of the document identification information, output the document identification information acquired by the recognition processing in association with the read data of the document. A second identification information output part is configured to, when the recognition processing part fails in the recognition of the document identification information, attach new document identification information to the document, and to output the newly attached document identification information in association with the read data of the document.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a form processing method, a form processing apparatus, a system, and a program.

  Business systems using computers are frequently used for business processing and management in companies and public institutions. As an element of such business systems, scanners and OCR (Optical Character Reader, Optical Character Reader) for reading paper forms as images and reading characters written on the forms are useful. is there. In order to improve the quality and efficiency of work in a company or the like, it is required that these devices not only read images and characters but also manage the data obtained as a result of association with the original form. Therefore, when the apparatus reads information from a paper form, there is a technique for attaching form identification information that can uniquely identify the form to the form.

For example, an OCR scanner having a function of printing a character at a predetermined position on a form has been put to practical use in order to use a management number by a character as form identification information.
As an example, there is a printing means for printing an identification number (this identification information is information for identifying the format type of the form) and a serial number (this serial number is information for identifying each form) on the form. A form processing system provided as a conventional technique exists. Also, for a form whose format type has not been identified, the printed serial number is read, and form identification information associated with the serial number is acquired from the form type information database in which the serial number is registered. A processing procedure for printing the identification information exists as one of the conventional techniques.

  However, attaching the form identification information to the form may cause the following problem. In a form process for carrying out an actual business, it may be necessary to read a form multiple times using an OCR scanner. Typically, after a form is read by a certain business system, it is necessary to read the form again by another business system. For example, when reading a form in a business system of a company, sending the form to another company, and reading the form again in the business system of the other company that received the form Can be considered. Further, not only when processing is performed across a plurality of companies in this way, but also within a single company, it may be possible to read a form multiple times in the business flow.

  In this way, when there is a case where a plurality of form processes are performed, if the process for attaching the form identification information is performed every time, the form identification information attached on the same form interferes with each other, There may be a problem that when the form identification information is read, it cannot be read correctly. For example, when the form identification information is printed as a character or a mark (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) in a method that can be optically read at a predetermined position on the form, a plurality of different form identification information It will be printed at the same position and cannot be read correctly. In addition, for example, even when a thin RFID in which form identification information is written is pasted on a form, if a plurality of different RFIDs are present at close positions on the form, the signals at the time of reading interfere with each other. Become.

  Even if any one of the plurality of form identification information is correctly read, there is no guarantee that the form identification information that has been successfully read is the desired identification information of the plurality of form identification information. Also, even if two (or more) of the plurality of form identification information can be read correctly, if the business system expects to read only a single form identification information, the entire system is correct. There may be cases where processing cannot be performed.

  In order to prevent a plurality of form identification information attached on the same form from interfering with each other, it is conceivable to avoid this problem by manual operation. Specifically, whether or not the form has already been provided with the form identification information is classified in advance by human eyes, and the form (bundle) of the form already provided with the form identification information is supplied to the OCR scanner. This is an avoidance method in which the direction of the paper is reversed. By such a method, it is possible to attach further form identification information to a position away from the position where the form identification information is already attached. However, in order to perform such manual document processing, there is a problem that a great deal of labor is required.

JP 2004-145383 A

  A problem to be solved by the present invention is a form processing method and form processing apparatus capable of correctly reading and correctly assigning unique form identification information even when a plurality of forms are processed for a single form. To provide a system and program.

  The form processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a reading unit, a recognition processing unit, a first identification information output unit, and a second identification information output unit. The reading unit reads the content described in the form and outputs it as read data. The recognition processing unit executes a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information attached to the form. The first identification information output unit outputs the form identification information obtained by the recognition process in association with the read data of the form when the recognition processing unit succeeds in recognizing the form identification information. When the recognition processing unit fails to recognize the form identification information, the second identification information output unit attaches new form identification information to the form and adds the newly added form identification information to the form in the form. Output in association with the read data.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the device configuration of a form processing device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a form processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. Schematic which shows the outline | summary of the flow of the storage business using the system by 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the example of the paper surface of the form which the form processing apparatus by 1st Embodiment handles. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing in which the form processing apparatus according to the first embodiment attaches form identification information to a form. Schematic which shows the structure of the payment data on the database which the computer for business systems by 1st Embodiment hold | maintains. The block diagram which shows schematic function structure of the form processing apparatus by 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a form processing method, form processing apparatus, system, and program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the system 5 includes a form processing device 1, a business system computer 11, and a terminal device 12. The system 5 in this embodiment is a business system for a financial institution. In the illustrated example, A financial institution and B financial institution each have a system 5. The detailed configuration of the A financial institution system 5 and the B financial institution system 5 may be different from each other. Financial institutions are banks, trust banks, credit unions, credit unions, and the like.

  The system 5 shown in the figure performs a paperwork for remittance of a public tax or various fees paid by a payer (individual or company) to a local government or company as a storage location. The outline of the whole process is as follows. The storage company or the like creates a payment form and delivers it to the payer by mail or other means. The form is printed with information for identifying a storage company, information for identifying a payer, and information such as an amount of money. The payer submits a payment form to the payment window of the financial institution A and provides payment funds. The funds are settled in cash or withdrawn from the payer's deposit account. The financial institution A performs predetermined processing on the payment forms received from a large number of payers. Details of this processing will be described later. The system 5 of the A financial institution sends the aggregate data obtained as a result of the processing to the B financial institution. As a method of delivering the total data from the A financial institution system 5 to the B financial institution system 5, data is transmitted through a communication line or a recording medium on which the total data is recorded is delivered. Of the payment forms processed by the A financial institution system 5, a bundle of forms to be delivered to the B financial institution is delivered to the B financial institution system 5. The B financial institution is a financial institution that collects payments related to the local governments and companies of the storage destination. The B financial institution also performs predetermined processing relating to the form. The A financial institution may be referred to as a “window financial institution” for convenience. Further, the B financial institution may be referred to as “combined financial institution” for convenience.

  The form processing apparatus 1 has a function of reading a form as an image and reading characters written on the form. The form processing apparatus 1 passes the read image data and character data (sometimes collectively referred to as “read data”) to the business system computer 11 in a form associated with the form identification information. The business system computer 11 performs processing of data related to the business such as the payment described above. Therefore, the business system computer 11 includes a database for storing read data output from the form processing apparatus 1 and associated with form identification information. The terminal device 12 is connected to the business system computer 11. The terminal device 12 accesses the business system computer 11 to execute the functions of the business system. For example, the data read by the form processing apparatus 1 can be viewed from the terminal device 12 or the data can be corrected.

  Further, when the system 5 performs the process of sorting the forms, the form processing apparatus 1 is provided with a sorter function for sorting the forms using a given sort key. Form sort processing is performed to classify forms for various purposes, such as by form type, by delivery destination financial institution, and by storage destination. As one form, in the database with which the business system computer 11 is provided, the form identification information is associated with the sort key for sorting. Then, the business system computer 11 supplies the form processing apparatus 1 with data in which form identification information and sort keys are associated with each other. Then, the form processing apparatus 1 can read the form identification information from the form, obtain the value of the sort key associated with the read form identification information, and sort the form using the sort key.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the apparatus configuration of the form processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the form processing apparatus 1 includes an OCR scanner 21 and a control computer 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the form processing apparatus 1 may further include a feeder 25 and a sorter 26.

  The OCR scanner 21 is a device that optically reads a form. The OCR scanner 21 outputs the read image as image data. The OCR scanner 21 has a character recognition function. That is, the OCR scanner 21 recognizes the written characters based on the read image and outputs it as text data. The OCR scanner 21 passes the output image data and text data to the control computer 22.

  The control computer 22 is a computer for controlling the OCR scanner 21. For example, a personal computer (PC) is used as the control computer 22. A program having a function for controlling the OCR scanner 21 is configured to be executed on a central processing unit (CPU) included in the control computer 22. The control computer 22 receives the image data and text data from the OCR scanner 21. Further, the control computer 22 can communicate with the outside via, for example, a local area network. The control computer 22 passes the acquired image data and text data to the business system computer 11 (FIG. 1) using the means for communication with the outside.

The feeder 25 sequentially feeds a plurality of stacked forms one by one and feeds them to the reading unit of the OCR scanner 21.
The sorter 26 sorts processed forms in accordance with instructions from the control computer 22. The sorter 26 includes a plurality of stackers for stacking the sorted forms for each section. For example, in the window financial institution, the sorter 26 is used to sort the forms so as to be classified by storage destination or by collective financial institution. Further, for example, in the summary financial institution, the sorter 26 is used to sort the forms so as to be classified by the local government or company of the storage destination.
In particular, the sorter 26 can sort the forms using a sort key determined based on the form identification information.

  The basic functions of the OCR scanner 21, the feeder 25, and the sorter 26 can be realized using existing technology. Also, the personal computer itself used as the control computer 22 can be an existing technology. Functions specific to the present embodiment can be realized mainly as functions of a program operating on the control computer 22.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the form processing apparatus. As shown in the figure, the form processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30, a conveyance control unit 32, a conveyance unit 33, an irradiation control unit 35, an irradiation unit 36, an image reading unit 37, and a character recognition processing unit 39. The printing control unit 45, the printing unit 46, the text data output unit 51, and the image data output unit 52 are configured. The OCR scanner 21 and the control computer 22 shown in FIG. 2 share the functions shown in FIG. Also, some of the functions listed here are realized by the cooperative operation of the OCR scanner 21, the control computer 22, and its program.

Hereinafter, each function which comprises the form processing apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
The control unit 30 controls the overall operation of the form processing apparatus 1. In addition, when the form processing apparatus includes a feeder and a sorter, the control unit 30 also controls the feeder and the sorter.

The conveyance control unit 32 controls conveyance of the form (paper) by the conveyance unit 33. When the form processing apparatus 1 is configured to include a feeder or a sorter, the conveyance control unit 32 performs control such that the feeder or sorter and the conveyance unit 33 are interlocked with each other.
The transport means 33 transports a form supplied for processing to a reading position, or transports a form that has been read to a position necessary for stacking on a stacker or the like. In addition, the conveyance means 33 is implement | achieved combining a rotating roller, a belt, etc.

The irradiation control unit 35 controls the irradiation unit 36. The irradiation control unit 35 controls the irradiation from the irradiation unit 36 in synchronization with the timing at which the image reading unit 37 reads the image of the form.
The irradiation unit 36 irradiates the form at the reading position with light so that the image reading unit 37 can read the form. The irradiation unit 36 irradiates light of an appropriate type (for example, visible light or ultraviolet light) according to the type of ink to be read.

  The image reading unit 37 reads the contents described in the form. Specifically, the image reading unit 37 reads a form as an image. The image reading unit 37 is realized using an image sensor in which pixels are arranged on a two-dimensional matrix, a one-dimensional line sensor, or the like.

The character recognition processing unit 39 reads the contents described in the form. Specifically, the character recognition processing unit 39 performs processing for recognizing characters included in the form, and reads the character data of the form. The character recognition processing unit 39 sets the image data read by the image reading unit 37 as a target of recognition processing. Note that the character recognition process itself can be performed using existing technology. The character recognition processing unit 39 performs processing for recognizing a character from a feature amount as an image of the character area based on the image of the area where the character is written.
In addition, the character recognition processing unit 39 executes a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information among the character information on the form.

The print control unit 45 controls printing by the printing unit 46. In particular, the print control unit 45 may control to print the form identification information for identifying the form at a predetermined position on the form.
The printing unit 46 performs printing on the processing target form by, for example, an inkjet method based on the control by the print control unit 45.
Note that the printing unit 46 may perform printing on a form using normal black ink or the like. For example, the printing unit 46 uses special ink that is easily recognized only when irradiated with ultraviolet rays or the like. May be printed. Such special ink has a characteristic that it is difficult to be recognized by human eyes even when irradiated with light in a normal visible light region. Such special ink printing is sometimes referred to as “stealth printing”. When the form identification information is printed with such special ink, there is an advantage that when the character is read, it does not interfere with the pattern or character originally printed on the form. Note that the type of ink may be changed by replacing the ink cartridge that supplies ink to the printing unit 46.
In the present embodiment, the printing means 46 prints the form identification information on the back side of the form. However, the form identification information may be printed on the reverse side of the form.
Note that the form identification information is often expressed using numbers, and giving the form identification information is sometimes referred to as “numbering” the form.
The number system (code system) of the form identification information printed by the printing means 46 may be appropriately determined as part of the system operation design. When a form is processed across, for example, a plurality of financial institutions, it is desirable to assign unique form identification information among all of the financial institutions. For this purpose, for example, it is conceivable to include information for identifying a financial institution (such as a 3-digit financial institution number) in a digit at a predetermined position in the form identification information. The form identification number may be designed to include information such as financial institution identification information, storage destination identification information, payment date, batch number, form serial number in the batch, etc. (or part of them). it can.

The text data output unit 51 outputs the character data read by the character recognition processing unit 39 as read data. Specifically, the text data output unit 51 outputs the character data of the form as text data.
Further, when the character recognition processing unit 39 succeeds in recognizing the form identification information, the text data output unit 51 outputs the form identification information obtained by the recognition process in association with the read data read from the form. It functions as a first identification information output unit.
When the character recognition processing unit 39 fails to recognize the form identification information, the text data output unit 51 outputs the form identification information newly attached to the form in association with the read data read from the form. 2 Functions as an identification information output unit.

  The image data output unit 52 outputs the data read by the image reading unit 37 as read data. Specifically, the image data output unit 52 outputs form image data (image data).

As described above, the image reading unit 37, the character recognition processing unit 39, the text data output unit 51, and the image data output unit 52 function as a reading unit that reads the content described in the form and outputs it as read data.
In addition, as described above, when the character recognition processing unit 39 fails to recognize the form identification information, the print control unit 45 and the printing unit 46 attach (print) the new form identification information to the form. It functions as an identification information output unit.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a storage work flow using the above-described system. In the illustrated business flow, a rectangular box indicated by a solid line is a group of processes. Each of these processes is shown with a number beginning with “P”. Each process includes a data process using a computer and a process for handling a paper form. The processing from P1 to P4 is processing performed in the A financial institution (window financial institution), and the processing from P11 to P14 is processing performed in the B financial institution (combining financial institution). The outline of the business flow will be described below with reference to this business flow diagram. In the following description, reference numerals shown in FIG. 1 are referred to.

Process P1 is a stage in which information described in the form is entered in the system of the window financial institution. Here, the form processing apparatus 1 reads an image of the form. In addition, the form processing apparatus 1 performs character recognition processing on necessary information among the characters described in the form, and acquires character information. At this time, the form processing apparatus 1 allocates form identification information that can uniquely identify each form (one sheet unit) and attaches it to the form sheet. In the present embodiment, the form processing apparatus 1 prints a number of a predetermined number of digits as form identification information at a predetermined position on the form. The form processing apparatus 1 sends the image data obtained by reading, the text data obtained by character recognition, and the form identification information attached to the form to the business system computer 11 in a form of correlating each other. Further, at this stage, the form may be classified by type using the function of the sorter.
The business system computer 11 stores the received data in a database managed by itself as payment data (described later).

  The process P2 is a stage for cleaning the data read in the process P1. Specifically, in the process P2, the business system computer 11 corrects or supplements data while also based on visual observation, auxiliary work, and the like by the operator. Specifically, in process P2, corrections are made to deal with errors in character recognition processing, data that could not be automatically acquired is added, and data corresponding to other errors is prepared. The process P2 is performed as a process by the business system computer 11, but the same process may be performed using the control computer 22 in the form processing apparatus 1. Further, when processing using the business system computer 11 is performed, the operator appropriately performs operations for data correction using the terminal device 12.

  The process P3 is a stage for performing a process necessary as a business system of a financial institution based on the data that has been cleaned in the process P2. Specifically, in the process P3, the business system computer 11 performs a totaling process of payment amounts for each summary financial institution that is a remittance destination and for each storage destination (local government, company, etc.). Further, the business system computer 11 performs a process of outputting aggregate data to be sent to the B financial institution. As already described, the total data may be transmitted via a communication line, or may be written on a recording medium and delivered. Further, the business system computer 11 performs processing for actually transferring payment funds to the B financial institution. Further, the business system computer 11 prepares so as to be able to provide data as a key for the sorting process in the next process P4 as necessary.

  Process P4 is a stage in which a bundle of paper forms is sorted and sorted for each financial institution. Specifically, the form processing apparatus 1 receives sort key data associated with form identification information from the business system computer 11. The form processing apparatus 1 recognizes the form identification information attached to the form for which the process P1 has already been completed, that is, the recognition of the character printed in the process P1 using the character recognition function of the form processing apparatus 1. And sort the forms with the sort key corresponding to the form identification information. At this time, the sorter function of the form processing apparatus 1 is used.

Processes P1 to P4 are processes on the counter financial institution side. Therefore, normally, the form identification information is not attached to the form before the process P1. Form identification information is attached to the form for the first time in process P1. In addition, since the form identification information is already attached to the form in the process P1, the form identification information already attached is normally reused in the process P2 unless there is an error such as some processing omission. .
Through the above processing from P1 to P4, a bundle of aggregated data and a form is sent from the A financial institution (window financial institution) side to the B financial institution (summary financial institution) side.

Next, the processing after P11 is performed in the system on the B financial institution side.
Process P11 is a stage in which the information described in the form is entered in the system of the summary financial institution. The content of the process is the same as that of process P1, and the form processing apparatus 1 reads the image of the form. In addition, the form processing apparatus 1 acquires information on characters written in the form. Note that the form sent to the summary financial institution may or may not be given a form identification number by the method assumed in the present embodiment. When the window financial institution does not employ a system like this embodiment, the form identification information assumed in this embodiment is not attached to the form. Therefore, in process P11, when the form identification information is already attached to the form, the form identification number is read and reused. Also, if the received form is not yet attached to the form, the system of the summarizing financial institution assigns a new form identification number (for example, numbering) and attaches it to the form (for example, Perform numbering printing). As described above, the handling in the process P11 differs depending on whether or not the received form has a form identification number. A method for realizing such processing will be described later. In either case, the form processing apparatus 1 associates the image data obtained by reading, the text data obtained by character recognition, and the form identification information unique to the form with each other in a form that correlates with the business system computer 11. Send to. At this stage, the function of the sorter may be used to classify the form for each storage destination or for each form type.
The business system computer 11 stores the received data in a database managed by itself as payment data (described later).

  The process P12 is a stage for cleaning the data read in the process P11. The specific content of the process P12 is the same as that of the process P2.

  Process P13 is a stage in which processing necessary as a business system of a financial institution is performed based on the data that has been cleaned in process P12. Specifically, in the process P13, the business system computer 11 creates data to be passed to the storage destination based on the data read in the processes P11 and P12 (data cleaned as necessary). The storage destination computer system requires payer information (information for identifying a payer) and a billing number (for example, a serial number of a bill) in order to perform a billing application process. Therefore, the data that is handed over from the summary financial institution to the storage location includes information specifying the payer and the billing number. Data to be transferred from the summary financial institution to the storage location may be transmitted via a communication line, or may be recorded on a recording medium and delivered. Further, the business system computer 11 performs processing for depositing the funds received from the counter financial institution for payment into a deposit account of a local government or company as a storage destination. Further, the business system computer 11 prepares so as to be able to provide data as a key for sorting in the next process P14 as necessary.

Process P14 is a stage of sorting a bundle of paper forms for each storage destination. Specifically, the form processing apparatus 1 receives sort key data associated with form identification information from the business system computer 11. Then, the form processing apparatus 1 recognizes the form identification information attached to the form. That is, the form processing apparatus 1 recognizes characters (form identification information) printed on the form by using the character recognition processing function, and sorts the form with the sort key corresponding to the form identification information. At this time, the sorter function of the form processing apparatus 1 is used.
As a result of the process P14, the summary financial institution (B financial institution) passes the data for each storage destination and the bundle of forms classified for each storage destination to the storage destination.

  As shown in the figure, the form is read at each stage of the processes P1 and P11. In lieu of such duplicate reading, the method of sending the form data (particularly information obtained as text data) read in process P1 from the A financial institution side to the B financial institution side can be considered as a theory. . However, in order to realize such a method, it is necessary to establish a standard data exchange procedure and to modify an existing computer system in all financial institutions and related storage locations. On the other hand, the processing flow shown here, that is, the processing flow premised on sending the aggregated data and the paper form from the A financial institution side to the B financial institution side is already in operation and has become firmly established. Because of these circumstances, it is difficult to move to a new mechanism, requiring a large total cost. That is, it is highly necessary to read a form at each stage of processing P1 and P11.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sheet of a form handled by the form processing apparatus 1. The figure shows the back side of the form, and form identification information is printed at a predetermined position on this side. In the figure, arrows from the bottom to the top indicate the conveyance direction of the form in the form processing apparatus 1. In other words, the OCR scanner 21 of the form processing apparatus 1 takes in from the upper side of the form shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, the printing position of the form identification information is designated. The print position of the form identification information is designated by the distance L from the right end of the form sheet surface and the width W of the print position. An example of the specified position is L = 50 mm (millimeters) and W = 10 mm, but other values for L and W may be used. In addition, the printing of the form identification information by numbers is performed in the direction shown in the figure (the direction along the transport direction). In the illustrated example, a 5-digit number “12345” is printed at the print position.

The printing position shown in FIG. 5 is also a position where the character recognition processing unit 39 in the form processing apparatus 1 tries to read as a character recognition target. A plurality of positions to be read as character recognition targets may be provided. For example, when three positions to be read as character recognition targets are provided, they are referred to as a first print position, a second print position, and a third print position. Regarding the first printing position, the distance from the right edge of the form is L ₁ and the width is W ₁ . Regarding the second print position, the distance from the right end of the form is L ₂ and the width is W ₂ . Then, for the third printing position, the distance from the right edge of the form and L _3, the width W _3. The specific values of the above L ₁ , W ₁ , L ₂ , W ₂ , L ₃ , and W ₃ can be set as appropriate. As an example, these specific values are made readable by the program at startup.

  In the example shown here, there are three positions that can be the target of character recognition processing, but the number of positions to be read as the target of character recognition is not limited to three. The number of recognition processing target positions may be one or more. By using a plurality of recognition target positions, it is possible to read the form identification information printed at different positions depending on the systems of other companies. In the illustrated example, the form identification information is printed on the back side of the form and the back side of the form is the target of character recognition. However, the front side of the form may be the print position of the form identification information and the target of character recognition. In the illustrated example, form identification information consisting only of numbers is printed. However, for example, the form identification information includes characters such as alphabets (AZ) and katakana including hiragana and symbols (hyphens, colons, etc.). May be.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing in which the form processing apparatus 1 attaches form identification information to a form. In this embodiment, the control computer 22 executes a program that matches the procedure shown in this flowchart, thereby controlling the processing by the form processing apparatus 1.

The startup options specified when this program is started are as follows.
The first activation option is specified by a parameter i. The value of the parameter (i) is 0 or 1. When the value of the parameter is not specified, it is considered that the default value 0 is specified.
When the value of the parameter is 0, the form processing apparatus 1 does not reuse numbering (form identification information). That is, at this time, the form processing apparatus 1 attaches new form identification information to the form (numbering printing) regardless of whether the form identification information is already attached to the form to be processed.
When the value of the parameter is 1, the form processing apparatus 1 operates so as to reuse the numbering. That is, at this time, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not form identification information (numbering) has already been attached to the form to be processed. Use. If the form identification information has not been attached yet, the form processing apparatus 1 attaches new form identification information to the form (performs numbering printing).

The second activation option is specified by a parameter called j. The value of the parameter (j) is specified by a three-digit number. The value of each digit of the three-digit number is the reading position of the form identification information. The value of the hundreds digit of the specified three-digit number is the reading position at which reading is attempted first. The 10-digit value of the specified 3-digit number is the reading position at which reading is attempted second. The one-digit value of the specified three-digit number is the reading position at which reading is attempted third (last).
In the present embodiment, the numerical value of each digit is one of 1, 2, and 3. These values correspond to the aforementioned first print position, second print position, and third print position, respectively. For example, when the three-digit number specified by the parameter j is “312”, the first print attempt is the third print position (the value at the 100th place is “3”). The second reading attempt is made at the first print position (the value at the 10th place is “1”). The third reading attempt is at the second printing position (the value at the 1's place is “2”).
When the value of the parameter is not specified, it is considered that the default value “123” is specified.

Regarding the second activation option (parameter j), the operation of the form processing apparatus 1 is as follows.
That is, when the form identification information can be read at the first reading trial position (the position of the parameter j at 100) (that is, the character recognition process has been successfully completed), the form identification information is reused. If the result is failure (reject), a second read trial position is tried.
Then, when the form identification information can be read at the second reading trial position (the 10th place of the parameter j) (that is, the character recognition process succeeds correctly), the form identification information is reused. If the result is failure (reject), a third read trial position is tried.
Then, when the form identification information can be read at the third reading trial position (the first place of the parameter j) (that is, when the character recognition process is correctly successful), the form identification information is reused. If the result is failure (reject), the form processing apparatus 1 does not reuse the form identification information. In that case, the form processing apparatus 1 gives the form identification information to the form in a predetermined format (performs numbering printing).

The procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The form processing apparatus 1 executes this processing procedure for each form.
First, in step S1, the program of the control computer 22 acquires an actual argument. The actual argument is a value specifically specified for the above parameter. As a result, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not to re-use the form identification information (the first activation option) and information on the position of reading the form identification information (the second activation option). And get.

  Next, in step S2, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether to reuse the identification information. This determination is made based on the value of the first activation option (parameter i) among the actual arguments acquired in step S1. If the identification information is to be reused (step S2: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S3. If the identification information is not reused (step S2: NO), the process jumps to step S7.

Next, when it progresses to step S3, the form processing apparatus 1 tries the character recognition process regarding the kth (k = 1, 2, ...) reading position in the same step. Note that k is an index value related to the reading position, and its initial value is 1. Then, in a series of processes from step S3 to S5, the value of k is incremented by 1 sequentially and repeatedly executed until the end condition is satisfied in the determination in step S5.
In the present embodiment, the maximum value of k is 3, but the maximum value of k is not limited to this. The maximum value of k is determined according to the designated number of reading positions.

Next, in step S4, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the character recognition process executed in the immediately preceding step S3 is successful. If successful (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S6. If unsuccessful (step S4: NO), the process proceeds to the next step S5.
Here, the success of the character recognition process means that a character is recognized (detected) within a range of a designated position. In addition, restrictions regarding the number of digits of recognized characters and character types (for example, limitation such as only numbers) may be further provided to determine success or failure. When such a restriction is provided, it is possible to make a determination based not only on whether or not a character is recognized but also on the design of the code system of the form identification information.
If the character recognition process is successful, the form processing apparatus 1 performs the subsequent processes assuming that the recognized character string is the form identification information attached to the form.

  Next, when it progresses to step S5, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether the process about all the index values k was completed in the same step. As described above, the maximum value of k in this embodiment is 3, and processing regarding the kth reading position has been performed sequentially from the initial value k = 1. Therefore, specifically, the form processing apparatus 1 determines whether or not the index value k has reached 3 in this step. When the process for all k is completed (step S5: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S7. If it is not completed (step S5: NO), the form processing apparatus 1 advances the value of k to the next and returns to step S3.

When the process proceeds to step S6 (from step S4), in this step, the form processing apparatus 1 sets the form identification information successfully read in the character recognition process in the immediately preceding step S3 as an output value. The form identification information here is information that has been successfully read from the form, and reuses the form identification information that has been added in advance. That is, the recognition result is used as form identification information. In this case, the form processing apparatus 1 outputs this form identification information in the form of writing in the text data. This form identification information is form identification information read from the form.
Then, when the process of this step is completed, the form processing apparatus 1 ends the process of the entire flowchart related to the form.

When the process proceeds to step S7 (from step S2 or S5), the form processing apparatus 1 does not reuse the form identification information. If the process jumps from step S2 to S7, it is specified that the form identification information is not reused as an activation option. The process proceeds from step S5 to S7 when the form identification information to be reused cannot be read from the form. In step S7, the form processing apparatus 1 prints form identification information on the form. As the form identification information printed here, the form processing apparatus 1 uses a newly assigned number. Then, when passing through step S7, the form processing apparatus 1 outputs this form identification information in the form of writing in the text data. This form identification information is newly assigned form identification information.
Then, when the process of this step is completed, the form processing apparatus 1 ends the process of the entire flowchart related to the form.

  As described above with reference to the flowchart, the character recognition processing unit 39 tries the sequential recognition processing in the order (k = 1, 2,...) Designated for a plurality of recognition target positions in the form. When the recognition process for the recognition target position is successful, the form identification information obtained from the recognition target position for which the recognition process was successful is employed.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of payment data on a database held by the business system computer 11. As shown in the figure, the payment data is relational data, and includes items such as storage location, summary financial institution, window financial institution, payer information, payment date, billing number, amount, form identification information, and other detailed information items. Have. Each line of payment data corresponds to one payment, and also corresponds to one form. The storage location is information for identifying a municipality or a company that is a storage location for payment. The summary financial institution is information for identifying a financial institution (“B financial institution” in FIG. 1 and the like) that collects payments to the storage destination. The counter financial institution is information for identifying a financial institution (“A financial institution” in FIG. 1 and the like) serving as a payer's counter. The payer information is information for identifying the payer. The payment date is data representing the date on which payment is made. The billing number is a number originally issued from the storage destination, for example, a serial number of the bill. The amount is data representing the amount paid from the payer to the storage location. The form identification information is information for individually identifying a paper form. The other detailed information is other information required for the business of the financial institution.

  In the system on the counter financial institution (A financial institution) side, the form is read and the form identification information is assigned in the primary form processing (P1 in FIG. 4). Then, the information read from the form is stored in the payment data of FIG. 7 in a form associated with the form identification information. The system on the side of the window financial institution creates summary data to be handed over to the financial institution side based on this payment data. When creating summary data for each summary financial institution, the business system computer 11 on the counter financial institution sums the amount data using the summary financial institution data item as a summary key. When creating the total data for each storage destination, the business system computer 11 on the counter financial institution side totals the amount data using the storage destination data item as a total key. It should be noted that the business system computer 11 on the window financial institution side may use other data items (for example, dates) as a key for tabulation as appropriate.

  In the system on the summary financial institution (B financial institution) side, the form is read in the primary form processing (P11 in FIG. 4). With respect to a form to which form identification information has already been added, the form identification information is reused in the process of P11. For a form to which no form identification information is attached, the form identification information is assigned in the process of P11. In any case, the form identification information obtained in the form processing apparatus 1 as a result of the process of P11 is transferred to the business system computer 11 on the B financial institution side and stored in the payment data of FIG. Further, other data read from the form is also stored in this payment data.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the case of business processing of a financial institution has been described as an example. However, the present embodiment is not limited to a system for business of a financial institution. It is applicable to businesses of all industries, governments, local governments, etc., in which forms are read and processed using a computer, and unique identification information is assigned to the forms for management.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as a specific method for attaching the form identification information to the form, the form in which characters are printed on the form has been described. In addition, other methods may be used to attach the form identification information to the form. For example, the form processing apparatus 1 may print a barcode representing the form identification information in an optically readable form. Further, for example, the form processing apparatus 1 may print a two-dimensional code representing the form identification information in an optically readable form. Further, the form processing apparatus 1 may print code information using characters and marks for individually identifying the form in a magnetically readable form (for example, using magnetic ink). Further, the form processing apparatus 1 may attach a thin RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) that can be read by electromagnetic waves to the form. Regardless of the form identification information in any form, the form processing apparatus 1 reads and recognizes and reuses the form identification information already attached to the form. In this case, the processing procedure by the form processing apparatus 1 is in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. Instead of using the character recognition process when recognizing the printed form identification information, the process of recognizing the mark pattern (bar code or two-dimensional code), or the ID ( The form identification information is acquired by using a process of reading out the identification information. Further, instead of printing the form identification information by characters, a mark pattern or RFID is attached as appropriate.

  In the present embodiment, the character recognition processing unit 39 sequentially performs recognition processing in a specified order for a plurality of recognition target positions in the form, and performs recognition processing when the recognition processing for one of the recognition target positions is successful. The form identification information obtained from the successful recognition target position is adopted. As a result, even when a form is processed across a plurality of financial institutions or companies or the like, it is possible to flexibly operate the position to which the form identification information is attached.

  In the present embodiment, the form identification information is identification information based on characters printed on the form. The character recognition processing unit 39 executes character recognition processing for recognizing characters printed on the form. Further, the print control unit 45 and the printing unit 46 (that is, a part of the function of the second identification information output unit) prints new form identification information on the form as characters. Thereby, the form identification information can be easily read even by the human eye by irradiating an appropriate light ray (visible light or ultraviolet light) according to the type of ink.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, description may be abbreviate | omitted about the matter similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, and it demonstrates focusing on the matter peculiar to this embodiment below. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to parts having functions similar to those of the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of the form processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the form processing apparatus 2 further includes a collation unit 41 and a correct pattern storage unit 42 in addition to the structure of the form processing apparatus 1 in the previous embodiment.

The collating unit 41 determines whether the recognition process is successful or unsuccessful by checking the result of the recognition processing of the form identification information by the character recognition processing unit 39 against the correct pattern read from the correct pattern storage unit 42.
The correct pattern storage unit 42 stores information related to the correct pattern for the above-described form identification information.
Then, the character recognition processing unit 39 outputs whether the identification of the form identification information has succeeded or failed based on the determination result by the collating unit 41.

  In the present embodiment, when the form processing device 2 reads form identification information from a form, the collation unit 41 makes a determination. Even if the character recognition process itself has succeeded, if it is determined that the read character information does not match the regular pattern of the form identification number as a result of the determination by the collation unit 41, the form identification information cannot be read. Process as if As a result, the recognition result can be rejected when it is recognized as a character but it is not regular form identification information or when a loss of digits occurs during character recognition.

  In light of the process flowchart (FIG. 6), it is as follows. After character recognition at a predetermined reading position is performed in the process of step S3, it is determined whether the recognition is successful in the process of step S4. At this time, it is assumed that the recognition of the form identification information is successful only when the character recognition process itself is successful and it is determined that the form identification information is correct as a result of the process by the collating unit 41. That is, when the character recognition process itself fails or when the character recognition process succeeds but the recognition result does not match the correct pattern of the form identification information, the form identification information recognition process is treated as a failure.

There are various specific forms of the correct pattern information stored in the correct pattern storage unit 42. For example, the following information is written in the correct pattern storage unit 42 in advance.
For example, the correct pattern storage unit 42 stores the number of digits of the form identification information and the value constraint information related to each digit. In this case, the collation unit 41 determines whether the character recognition result is consistent with these pieces of information. As a result, an error can be detected, for example, when the number of digits in the read form identification information is insufficient due to ink fading or other reasons during printing.
Further, for example, the correct pattern storage unit 42 stores information related to redundant encoding of customer identification information. In this case, the collation unit 41 determines whether the character recognition result does not include an error as the determined redundant code.
For example, the correct pattern storage unit 42 stores a regular expression representing a correct pattern. In this case, the collation unit 41 determines whether or not the character recognition result matches this regular expression. The method using a regular expression is one of the most versatile methods for representing a correct answer pattern.
In addition, for example, the correct pattern storage unit 42 stores information related to correct patterns unique to each financial institution. The form identification information includes a code for specifying the financial institution to which the identification information is assigned. In this case, the collation unit 41 identifies the financial institution to which the form identification information is assigned, and determines whether or not the correct answer pattern unique to the financial institution is matched. In this case, for example, even if a form identification number is assigned using a different numbering system for each financial institution, the uniqueness of the form identification number can be guaranteed across a plurality of financial institutions.

  In the present embodiment, the form identification information is acquired by the character recognition process on the assumption that the form identification information is printed on the form as characters. However, even when the form identification information is attached to the form in another form (bar code, two-dimensional code, RFIF, etc.), by illuminating the form identification information read from the form against the correct pattern storage unit 42, The success or failure of reading can be determined.

  According to the present embodiment, the correct pattern storage unit 42 stores information related to the correct pattern regarding the form identification information. In addition, the collation unit 41 compares the result of the recognition processing of the form identification information by the character recognition processing unit 39 with the correct pattern read from the correct pattern storage unit 42, and whether the recognition processing of the form identification information has succeeded or failed. Determine. Then, the character recognition processing unit 39 outputs whether the identification of the form identification information has succeeded or failed based on the determination result by the collating unit 41. Thereby, the accuracy of reading the form identification information can be improved.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, a reading process for reading the contents described in the form and outputting it as read data, and a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information attached to the form are executed. And a first identification information that is output in association with the read data of the form when the form identification information is successfully recognized in the recognition process. If the form identification information fails to be recognized in the output process and the recognition process, the form identification information is attached to the form and the newly attached form identification information is associated with the read data of the form. The form identification information already attached to the form by the form processing method including the second identification information output process to be output And document identification information subjected to another can be avoided that interfere on the form. Each form can be managed with a single form identification information. Note that in this form processing method, the temporal order relationship between the reading process and the recognition processing process does not matter. Also, the case where the recognition of the form identification information is successful and the case where it fails in the recognition process are mutually contradictory events. That is, for one certain form, only one of the first identification information output process and the second identification information output process is executed.

  In each of the above embodiments, at least a part of the function for controlling the form processing apparatus 1 is realized by a computer program. However, these may be realized by hardware such as an LSI. .

  When a part of the functions in the above-described embodiments is realized by a computer program, the program for realizing the function is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is stored in a computer system. This is realized by loading and executing. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, a “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time, like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory inside a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case may be included, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the above-described functions, or may be a program that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Form processing apparatus, 5 ... System, 11 ... Business system computer, 12 ... Terminal device, 21 ... OCR scanner, 22 ... Control computer, 25 ... Feeder, 26 ... Sorter, 30 ... Control part, 32 ... Transport control , 33 ... conveying means, 35 ... irradiation control part, 36 ... irradiation means, 37 ... image reading part (reading part), 39 ... character recognition processing part (recognition processing part, reading part), 41 ... collation part, 42 ... Correct pattern storage unit 45 ... print control unit (second identification information output unit) 46 ... printing means (second identification information output unit) 51 ... text data output unit (reading unit, first identification information output unit, first 2 identification information output unit), 52... Image data output unit (reading unit)

Claims (8)

A reading process that reads the contents described in the form and outputs it as read data;
A recognition process for executing a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information attached to the form;
A first identification information output step of outputting the form identification information obtained by the recognition process in association with the read data of the form when the form identification information is successfully recognized in the recognition process;
When the recognition of the form identification information fails in the recognition process, new form identification information is attached to the form and the newly attached form identification information is output in association with the read data of the form. 2 identification information output process;
Form processing method including. A reading unit that reads the content described in the form and outputs it as read data;
A recognition processing unit that executes a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information attached to the form;
A first identification information output unit that outputs the form identification information obtained by the recognition process in association with the read data of the form when the recognition processing unit succeeds in recognizing the form identification information;
When the recognition processing unit fails to recognize the form identification information, it adds new form identification information to the form and outputs the newly attached form identification information in association with the read data of the form. 2 identification information output unit;
A form processing apparatus comprising: The recognition processing unit sequentially performs recognition processing in a specified order for a plurality of recognition target positions in the form, and when the recognition processing for any one of the recognition target positions is successful, the recognition processing that has succeeded in the recognition processing. Adopting the form identification information obtained from the target position,
The form processing apparatus according to claim 2. The form identification information is identification information by characters printed on the form,
The recognition processing unit executes character recognition processing for recognizing characters printed on the form,
The second identification information output unit prints the new form identification information as characters on the form.
The form processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. A correct pattern storage unit for storing information on a correct pattern for the form identification information;
A verification unit that determines whether the recognition process was successful or unsuccessful in light of the correct pattern read from the correct pattern storage unit, as a result of the recognition process performed by the recognition processing unit;
Further comprising
The recognition processing unit outputs whether the recognition of the form identification information has succeeded or failed based on the determination result by the matching unit.
The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A sorter that sorts the forms using a sort key based on the form identification information;
The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: The form processing apparatus according to claim 6;
A business system comprising a database for storing the read data output from the form processing apparatus and associated with the form identification information, and supplying the sort key and the form identification information included in the read data to the form processing apparatus in association with each other Computer for
A system comprising: A computer for controlling a form processing apparatus having a function of reading a form and a function of recognition processing for recognizing form identification information attached to the form;
A reading process that reads the contents described in the form and outputs it as read data;
A recognition process for executing a recognition process for recognizing the form identification information attached to the form;
A first identification information output step of outputting the form identification information obtained by the recognition process in association with the read data of the form when the form identification information is successfully recognized in the recognition process;
When the recognition of the form identification information fails in the recognition process, new form identification information is attached to the form and the newly attached form identification information is output in association with the read data of the form. 2 identification information output process;
A program for running

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